Ruger Blackhawk 357/9mm

[Alan4620]

I just got a 357/9mm Blackhawk  ;Dwhat kind of dies do I want for the 9mm? Roll or taper crimp? What are the differences or advantages? 

Thanks
Alan

[DennisB]

Congrats on the convertable.  Blackhawks are fun.  The 9mm headspaces on the case mouth like most rimless cases, so you'll want to use a taper crimp.  (You may find that the 9mms don't shoot as accurately as 357s, due to barrel dimensions.)  Shoot it and enjoy it!

[Mikey]

Alan:  Dennis is correct about the 9mms possibly not shooting as accurately as the 38/357s from that Blackhawk, unless you reload and it sounds like you do.....there's the fix.

You can throw half a ton of surplus 9mms down the tube on the Blackhawk just for plinkin' purposes but if you reload, there is nothing to say that you can't use a 38/357 expander ball when loading your 9mms andd stuff some 38 slugs into them. 

Actually, that may be an interesting accuracy test.  Load the same size and weight slug into each of the three different cases that revolver will chamber and see which one is the most accurate. You would actually be shooting 357s, 38 Specials and could possibly shoot 38 Super level 9mms (with 38 caliber bullets).

Now that sounds like fun.  Mikey.

[WILD_WEASEL]

I have a 4 5/8th 357 Mag/9mm myself.  While the 357 has the edge on accuracy I think I’ve put more Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ 9mm through it than .357 Mag or 38 Specials.  But, at $40 per x100 Remington 125gr JHP 357Mag, $25 per x100 Winchester White Box 130gr FMJ 38 Special, verses $18 for x100 Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ 9mm.  9mm is the choice for plinking, if you do not reload.  I reload for every gun I own, except the 9mm’s, mainly because I can buy a hundred loaded rounds cheaper than the components to reload 9mm.  If I ever do start reloading 9mm I’d taper crimp with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.  The BH Convertibles are touchy when it comes to chambering reloaded auto rounds in the 9mm or 45ACP cylinders.